Sensitivity of cold acclimation to elevated autumn temperature in field-grown Pinus strobus seedlings

Will overwintering evergreen conifers be negatively impacted by future warm climates? PhD student Christine Chang (Ensminger Lab) explores this question in “Sensitivity of cold acclimation to elevated autumn temperature in field-grown Pinus strobus seedlings”, published in Frontiers in Plant Science. She simulated autumn temperatures predicted for 2050, then recorded the progression of autumn cold acclimation in Eastern white pine seedlings. It turns out that white pines don’t take risks and prepare strong drought and freezing defenses in response to early environmental cues, well in advance of any stress. Good news - warming autumns won’t hurt this conifer's ability to survive Canadian winters!